Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1887-05-17
"OLD MRS. COLE"
BY s. A. WEISS.


''Oh," said Mrs. Stebbins, as she
alighted from wagon at her own
door, and shook hands with Miss
Naylor, who happened to be passing,
"you see, | only went for day and
night, so didn't think it worth whileto
advertise it on, the church-door. L
wanted to buy some dry goods and
kitchen things, and they're cheaper IN
Barnville than in little place like
this. And besides, there's my niece,
Maria, whom hadn't seen since her
last baby was born, and she and the
baby both in poor health. So
thought might as well go up, and so
kill two birds with one stone"
TO be-sure! And how did you find
Maria and the baby? And how are
all the folks in Barnville?"
"Well, was glad to find them two
looking pretty smart and spry; and
rs for the rest, didn't hear of any
body being sick or in trouble, unless
twas old Mrs. Cole"
''Ah. So old Mrs. Coles sick?" said
Miss Naylor, with a look Of aroused
interest "And what is it ails her this
timer"
"Why, nothing much, / reckon. l
did hear Maria holer to little Betty
Cole, and ask how her gran ma was to-
day; and she said bout the same as
yesterday. Maria asked il the fever
was gone down; but just then Jeems
came in to dinner, so didn't hear the
rest, and forgot to ask Maria about
Mrs. Cole"
"Well, WELL I'm sorry to hear she's
sick, poor soul! for she's good wom-
an, and we can't easy afford to spare
such, But she's well on in years, and
I've been ruther expectin to hear of
her being took down, conslderin' she's
over sixty. But la% me. l mustn't
keep you standin' here in the street,
and You just come home. Good-by!
ana depend upon mefor comm round
soon to see what pretty things you've
brought"
With this Miss Naylor turned away,
and with her basket on her arm pro-
ceeded to the store for a supply of
groceries.
There she found Mrs. Brown, the
house-carpenter's wife, engaged in
cheapening calico.
"1ou amt as smart as Miss Steb-
bins, said Miss Naylor, as the two crit
lcally examined the quality fthe cali
co. "She $ been up to Barnville, and
laid in a lot OF dry-gooas and things,
lor the sake OF saving about twenty
five cents or SO. For my part, l 90
for encouraging home trade"
"Weil, don't know Mrs. Brown
replied, doubtfully. Seems TO ME
everybody's bound to look out for
their own interest, and ! confess I'd
be willing to go little out of the way
to save twenty-five cents. But what
did Sally StebDins say was the news
in Barnville?"
Nothing, except that old Miss Coles
down whichever. Miss Stebbins said
she was no better when she left.
She's over sixty, and | wouldn't be
surprised to hear OF her death any
minute
II wonder If John Coles wife knows
OF 1t? She ought to be told, for her
husbands mother was second cousin
to old Mrs. Cole, and they've got the
same family name, and always been
friendly. II she dies, they'll OF course
60 to the funeral, as they did when
the OLD man died, four years ago"
Then Miss Navlor turned to the
groceries, and Mrs. Brown, having
concluded her bargain by persuading
the merchant to take basket of
dried apples IN part payment for his
goods, left the store and took her
way homeward, well pleased.
Meeting q nelghbor on the way, the
two stopped to exchange greetings and
inquire the news.
THAT reminds me-" said Mrs.
Brown, promptly. 81 jest this min
ute parted from Liza Naylor, and she
told me that she'd seen Mrs. Stebbins
who's Jest from Barnville and left old
Mrs. Cole as low as could be with fe-
yer. Liza said they were every minute
expecting her death, and She's no
doubt gone by this time, poor soul.
She thinks Jane Cole will 90 to the
funeral, If she knows of the old lady's
DEATH
why, OF course, they ought to send
a MESSAGE and let 'em know" replied
Mrs. Miller. They're their own kin.
though not very nigh; and naturally
they d go to the funeral"
Mrs. Miller turned aside two squares
to speak to Fanny Bates, Mr.. John
Coles wlie's sister. Miss Bates was
seated at her window sewing. and Mrs
Miller called to her:
Say, Fanny does your sister Cole
know that old Mrs. Cole OF RarnvilIe's
dead?' = '''' >
Dead? Good graciousl YOU don't
say SOP said Miss Bates dropping her
work and leaning out OF the window.
DO co me in and tell"
We'll. can't conveniently stopie
now as It's time to be putting on din
ntr' and Hiram's so particular. But
Nv Jest this mint heerd from Mrs,
Brown that tie old lady was a-dvina
yesterday, when Mrs. Stehbips LEFT
D1tllVlile and OF course, the funeral
sister Cole will so.''
DON'T know as she's heard of if Is
MISS Fanny Bates answered, in sone
excitement. "But I'll 90 right around
ana see. NeneVer heard she was s,cl,
OF zane would have gone up to see
her though commonly there ain't
much visiting between EN-"
Mrs. John Cole was busy maxim,
apple dumplings when her sista,
snshed i,.to the kitchen